Europe Scorched by Extreme Heat as Deaths, Disruptions and Records Mount

Western and Central Europe are still battling a severe heat wave on Tuesday, with fresh temperature records, major disruptions to daily life and an increasing death toll. In France, authorities said at least 40 people drowned after entering lakes or rivers to cool off. Britain has closed more than 300 schools, while Italy, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium and other countries are also affected. Forecasters say the heat, which began over the weekend, will intensify in the coming days and is unlikely to ease before Friday.

The heat is being driven by what scientists describe as an omega block, a dome of hot air shaped like the Greek letter Omega, trapping heat over the region. British climate scientist Claire Barnes said the air mass came from North Africa’s Sahara Desert and was moving so slowly that “there is almost no wind, not even a light breeze for relief.”

France is experiencing the most severe impact. Meteo France said Tuesday was the hottest day ever recorded in the country by its heat index, which reached 29.8 degrees, surpassing previous records from July 2019 and August 2003. The highest temperature measured was 43.3 degrees in Pissos in the southwest, while Bordeaux reached 42.1 and a June record of 43.3 was set in Châteaumeillant. Night-time temperatures are also breaking records, and red alerts now cover 54 departments, expected to rise to 58 on Wednesday. The country has also shut a nuclear reactor after the water used for cooling in the Garonne rose above 28 degrees.

French officials said 40 people, mostly young, have drowned since Thursday while trying to cool off in unguarded waters. Sports and Youth Minister Marina Ferrari urged people to follow safety advice and swim only in supervised areas. The heat has also forced rail cancellations, including on the Paris-Brussels line, slowed business activity, and led the Eiffel Tower to close early at 4:00 p.m., with the operator saying safety comes first for staff and visitors.

Britain has issued its highest heat warning for Wednesday and Thursday across parts of central and southern England, including London and Birmingham, and Cardiff. Temperatures could reach 39 degrees, with 312 schools partly or fully closed, and rail services heavily disrupted. Spain reported up to 44 degrees in Cordoba, with “climate shelters” opened in Madrid for vulnerable people, while Italy issued red alerts in 15 cities and Germany warned of up to 40 degrees and reported six drowning deaths. Switzerland restricted water pumping in St. Gallen because water levels were too low, and in cooler Sweden tourists were heading north to escape the heat. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on governments to act faster on climate change, warning, “London is not just calling. It is boiling.”